December 23, 2008

Dear Family and Friends,

Hope the Holidays were as enjoyable as ours was.

On the final Sunday of Advent, we did Lessons and Carols for the service. I sang a solo, we had really wonderful music and the traditional "Shew bread." The only difference I see in this bread is that it's huge and it looks like a work of art done with dough instead of paint or clay:
http://padremickey.blogspot.com/2008/12/ayer-en-parroquia-san-cristbal.html

We had a very sweet Christmas Eve service. Michael blessed the Nativity scene (which took up half of the chapel). Here's the pictures for that evening:
http://padremickey.blogspot.com/2008/12/la-buena-noche.html

The youth choir and adult choir sang a Cantada on Dec. 28 during the 7:30 am English service. Here's the link to those photos:
http://padremickey.blogspot.com/2008/12/ayer-en-parroquia-san-cristbal_29.html

Every year our youth put on an Epiphany program. Here are photos:
http://padremickey.blogspot.com/2009/01/last-night-at-parroquia-san-cristbal.html

I mentioned in my last letter that we're getting ready to go to summer camp with the Jr. High age kids. This year, the camp director told Michael the funds for our camp were short $400. So Michael was able to find $400 in our account and donate to the camp. Well, God is good. The next day, an anonymous donation was deposited in our account to cover what was needed. Thank you, whoever you are, for your generous contribution. God is good and takes care of us when we turn everything over to Him.

One of the shepherds in our group asks me everyday if she will get a beca (scholarship for camp). Everyday, I assure her she will. We want all our kids to be able to have a church camp experience. Michael and I always make sure of that with the help of your donations which enable us to do so. We are short at this time, but we're hoping when we get back, there will be more donations so the kids can receive a full scholarship instead of half a scholarship.

We're also having problems with immigration again. For some reason, we're on an every-three-month visa schedule. This is very costly (lawyer fees as well as the $60 for the visas) and time consuming. Not only do we pay for a visa every three months, but I renew my driver's license every three months. The license is only as good for as long as the visa. Because of this, Michael is opting out of driving because he can walk to church. I prefer driving to all my activities because sometimes they end after dark and it's more convenient and safer to drive myself, plus I like the autonomy. Please pray that this situation be resolved so we can get a visa that lasts a year.

Have a great Epiphany. I'll let you know when the camp picture's are up and any other update on our activities. Of course, feel free to visit the blog anytime and leave comments. We love to getting comments and hearing from you. Many blessings to you all.
 

Your missionaries in Panama,
Mona and Michael Dresbach
mgdbach@hotmail.com  - Michael
mldbach1@yahoo.com  - Mona
http://padremickey.blogspot.com

Please pass this letter on to everyone. If you would like to make donations or a monthly pledge to our mission, please contact St. Francis Episcopal Church, 1205 Pine Ave., San Jose, CA 95125, 408-292-7090. Please feel free to check St. Francis' web site at www.stfrancisepiscopalchurch.org , which includes an archive of our letters and pictures of our mission.